There are 6 ways to get from Darwin to Cairns by plane, bus, train or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner.
Bus, train
-
Take the bus from Darwin to Alice Springs
-
Take the bus from Alice Springs to Adelaide
-
Take the train from Adelaide Parklands to Sydney Central Station
-
Take the bus from Sydney to Brisbane
-
Take the bus from Brisbane to Cairns Central Station
Train via Sydney
-
Take the train from Darwin to Adelaide Parklands
-
Take the train from Adelaide Parklands to Sydney Central Station
-
Take the train from Central Station to Brisbane
-
Take the train from Brisbane Roma Street to Cairns Central Station
Train
-
Take the train from Darwin to Adelaide Parklands
-
Take the train from Adelaide to Brisbane
-
Take the train from Brisbane Roma Street to Cairns Central Station
Train, bus
-
Take the train from Darwin to Adelaide Parklands
-
Take the train from Adelaide to Brisbane
-
Take the bus from Brisbane to Cairns Central Station
Drive
-
Drive from Darwin to Cairns
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Darwin to Cairns is to fly which costs $170 - $800 and takes 6h 12m.
The quickest way to get from Darwin to Cairns is to fly which costs $170 - $800 and takes 6h 12m.
The distance between Darwin and Cairns is 1679 km. The road distance is 2766.6 km.
The best way to get from Darwin to Cairns without a car is to bus and train which takes 5 days 0h and costs $1,000 - $3,600.
It takes approximately 6h 12m to get from Darwin to Cairns, including transfers.
The best way to get from Darwin to Cairns is to fly which takes 6h 12m and costs $170 - $800. Alternatively, you can train via Sydney, which costs $1,500 - $13,000 and takes 5 days 0h.
The quickest flight from Darwin Airport to Cairns Airport is the direct flight which takes 2h 25m.
Cairns is 30 min ahead of Darwin. It is currently 3:40 AM in Darwin and 4:10 AM in Cairns.
Yes, the driving distance between Darwin to Cairns is 2767 km. It takes approximately 28h 24m to drive from Darwin to Cairns.
Jetstar, Qantas and Airnorth offer flights from Darwin Airport to Cairns Airport.
- Distance: 1679.4 km
- Duration: 6h 12m
What companies run services between Darwin, NT, Australia and Cairns, QLD, Australia?
Jetstar, Qantas and Airnorth fly from Darwin to Cairns twice daily. Alternatively, you can take a train from Darwin to Cairns via Darwin, Adelaide Parklands, Central Station, and Brisbane Roma Street in around 5 days 0h.
- Website
- qantas.com
Flights from Darwin to Cairns
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 25m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $270 - $1,100
Flights from Darwin to Cairns via Gove
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 30m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $330 - $1,400
- Website
- jetstar.com
Flights from Darwin to Cairns
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 25m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $170 - $750
- Website
- flyairnorth.com
Flights from Darwin to Cairns via Gove
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 30m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $330 - $1,400
- Phone
- 1800 703 357 (Outside AU +61 8 8213 4401)
- sales.enquiries@journeybeyond.com
- Website
- journeybeyondrail.com.au
Train from Adelaide Parklands to Sydney Central Station
- Ave. Duration
- 28h 29m
- Frequency
- Once a week
- Estimated price
- $390 - $2,200
- Book at
- https://bookings.journeybeyondrail.com.au/
- Everyday Daynighter Seat
- $400
- Advanced Gold Single Cabin
- $650 - $900
- Low Gold Single Cabin
- $700 - $950
- Everyday Gold Single Cabin
- $850 - $1,100
- GOLD TWIN
- $850 - $1,300
- GOLD SINGLE
- $700 - $1,300
- PLATINUM
- $1,700 - $2,200
- Phone
- 1800 703 357 (Outside AU +61 8 8213 4401)
- sales.enquiries@journeybeyond.com
- Website
- journeybeyondrail.com.au
Train from Darwin to Adelaide Parklands
- Ave. Duration
- 2 days 2h
- Frequency
- Once a week
- Estimated price
- $900 - $10,000
- Book at
- https://bookings.greatsouthernrail.com.au/?_ga=2.27793852.1430812322.1538203551-1884130056.1538203551
- Everyday Daynighter Seat
- $931
- Advanced Gold Single Cabin
- $1,712
- Low Gold Single Cabin
- $1,822
- Everyday Gold Single Cabin
- $2,153
- Phone
- 131 500
- Website
- transportnsw.info
Train from Central Station to Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 14h 12m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $95 - $140
- Website
- https://transportnsw.info/regional
- Economy
- $95 - $140
- First Class
- $130 - $200
- Phone
- 1800 872 467
- Website
- queenslandrailtravel.com.au
Train from Brisbane Roma Street to Cairns Central Station
- Ave. Duration
- 24h 45m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- $170 - $370
- Book at
- https://queenslandrailtravel-booking.opendestinations.com/BookingSite/rail/search
- Website
- https://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/
- Schedules at
- https://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/Pages/Timetable.aspx
- Economy-B-Quick fare
- $170 - $250
- Economy-A-Choice Fare
- $250 - $360
- BQuick
- $222
- AChoice
- $369
- Phone
- 1800 703 357 (Outside AU +61 8 8213 4401)
- sales.enquiries@journeybeyond.com
- Website
- journeybeyondrail.com.au
Train from Adelaide to Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 2 days 8h
- Frequency
- Once a week
- Estimated price
- $2,200 - $9,500
- Book at
- https://bookings.greatsouthernrail.com.au/?_ga=2.27793852.1430812322.1538203551-1884130056.1538203551
- Gold Single
- $2,200 - $2,900
- Gold Twin
- $2,300 - $5,500
- Gold Superior
- $4,000 - $8,500
- Platinum Twin
- $4,500 - $9,500
- Platinum Double
- $4,500 - $9,500
Greyhound Australia is the country’s only long-distance bus operator running services in all states and territories. Greyhound Australia has been operating for 110 years and is the leading bus company in Australia. The extensive network now covers most of the Australian mainland, although service is limited in Western Australia with just a single route to Broome. Buses are equipped for long journeys, with free WiFi, air-conditioning, full disability access, USB chargers, reclining seats and an onboard bathroom.
Contact Details
- Phone
- 1300 473946
- Website
- greyhound.com.au
Bus from Darwin to Alice Springs
- Ave. Duration
- 21h 40m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $210 - $400
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/
- Schedules at
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/timetables
- Early Bird
- $210 - $310
- Advantage
- $250 - $370
- Premium
- $270 - $400
Bus from Alice Springs to Adelaide
- Ave. Duration
- 19h 55m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $210 - $400
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/
- Schedules at
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/timetables
- Early Bird
- $210 - $310
- Advantage
- $250 - $370
- Premium
- $270 - $400
Bus from Sydney to Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 16h 30m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $140 - $270
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/
- Schedules at
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/timetables
- Early Bird
- $140 - $210
- Advantage
- $170 - $250
- Premium
- $180 - $270
- Phone
- +61 2 4423 5233 (call 13 34 10 within Australia)
- reservations@premierms.com.au
- Website
- premierms.com.au
Bus from Brisbane to Cairns Central Station
- Ave. Duration
- 29h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $140 - $240
- Website
- Premier Motor Service
Want to know more about travelling around Australia
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There are 239+ hotels available in Cairns. Prices start at $150 AUD per night.